Leadership – LARSEN

And another thing: self-care isn’t (always) selfish

As much of our sector prepares for an end-of-year-break, I wanted to share the end of year public service announcement that: self-care isn’t selfish, taking time off isn’t selfish, rest isn’t selfish. In fact, doing #LessIsNecessary.

And another thing: strategic venting and collegiality as care

Inspired by SACSA’s workforce Plan Updates for the Australian Arts sector, I’ve been thinking about the importance of strategic venting and collegiality as care – two common-sense strategies we’ve all seemed to lose the knack of in recent years.

Take on Board podcast on the ethics of AI

The AI train has left the station, but boards and organisations should take a breath before jumping on board.

It’s not just about a lack of tech know-how; it’s about staying true to your organisation’s purpose and values.

Scene Change blog on strategic planning

Is a Strategic Plan for your flailing nonprofit arts org just a waste of time?

And another thing: from censorship to systemic change

Over the past 21 months, we’ve seen dozens of Australian arts and cultural organisations censor and silence the very artists and practitioners they rely upon for their work.

New review of The RITP

Huge thanks to Nikita Vanderbyl and Professional Historians Australia for this extraordinary review of The Relationship is the Project.

And another thing: the merit of merit

I’m spending February with my family on Gabrielino-Tongva-Kitz Lands just outside Los Angeles – which feels like a very different place since the last time I was here.

With everything going on, it seemed like an opportune moment to reflect on the importance of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI), and the alleged merit of merit-based board and staff recruitment and quotas.

And another thing: succession planning

I’m starting the new year with a lesson from the corporate world about leadership succession planning (yet another thing the arts, cultural and for-purpose sector is notoriously bad at).

Why (nearly) everything you thought you knew about boards and governance is wrong*

In October 2024, I was part of the line-up for TEDxCastlemaine with my provocation on why (nearly) everything you thought you knew about boards and governance is wrong.

And another thing: our cultural workforce crisis

For those living (or leaving) the national cultural workforce crisis currently being experienced – deeply and distinctively – across Australia’s arts, cultural and for-purpose organisations and sectors, the language of ‘crisis’ isn’t hyperbole, nor something that’s up for debate.

But the last few weeks have reminded me that there are some gaps in this understanding – unfortunately (though not unsurprisingly) from some of the people with the most power to affect change, including board members who aren’t meeting either their fiduciary duties or their duty of care.